What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is a stimulant that has been consumed by humans for thousands of years through tea, coffee and certain fruits and nuts. Today, there are many sources of caffeine that are sold anywhere from grocery stores to the local gas station. Caffeine can now be found in soda, energy drinks, certain candies or even in a pill or powdered form. Caffeine consumption yields increased wakefulness, faster thought processes, and greater body coordination. The effects of caffeine begin within one hour and lasts around five.
However, just because caffeine is easily obtained does not mean it is safe. The median lethal dose of caffeine is about 5 grams. This amounts to 80 cups of coffee or about twenty-five 200 mg caffeine pills (which is far easier to do). While death from caffeine is rare, overdosing is far more common. Taking over 1000 mg at a time could lead to mania, depression, disorientation, psychosis or even rhabdomyolysis. If caffeine were discovered today, it would certainly be a restricted or controlled substance. But because caffeine is integrated into society and overdosing is particularly difficult, lawmakers tolerate not having heavy restrictions on it. Conversely, drugs such as cocaine and opium have been around for just as long; however they have proven themselves to be far more lethal, prompting lawmakers to ban them.
While caffeine is effective at waking you up, it does so in a manner that also produces jitters, hyperactivity and an eventual crash. What is the use of having energy but being unable to channel or focus it? This is where L-Theanine comes in.
However, just because caffeine is easily obtained does not mean it is safe. The median lethal dose of caffeine is about 5 grams. This amounts to 80 cups of coffee or about twenty-five 200 mg caffeine pills (which is far easier to do). While death from caffeine is rare, overdosing is far more common. Taking over 1000 mg at a time could lead to mania, depression, disorientation, psychosis or even rhabdomyolysis. If caffeine were discovered today, it would certainly be a restricted or controlled substance. But because caffeine is integrated into society and overdosing is particularly difficult, lawmakers tolerate not having heavy restrictions on it. Conversely, drugs such as cocaine and opium have been around for just as long; however they have proven themselves to be far more lethal, prompting lawmakers to ban them.
While caffeine is effective at waking you up, it does so in a manner that also produces jitters, hyperactivity and an eventual crash. What is the use of having energy but being unable to channel or focus it? This is where L-Theanine comes in.
What is L-Theanine?
L-Theanine a chemical that has been shown to calm the brain and is found primarily in plant and fungal species. It was discovered for the first time in 1949 in green tea. In 1950 it was successfully extracted from a plant by scientists in Kyoto. Today L-Theanine is still found in black, green and white teas but can also be purchased in its pure form.
L-Theanine promotes GABA production in the brain which blocks stress signals and promotes alpha waves, both of which are produced naturally when the brain is in a calm, creative state.
L-Theanine promotes GABA production in the brain which blocks stress signals and promotes alpha waves, both of which are produced naturally when the brain is in a calm, creative state.
The combination
Green tea is touted as a beverage with the ability to not only wake up but also relax the mind. It has this effect because both caffeine and L-Theanine occur naturally in green tea leaves. While both coffee and tea are recognized for their stimulating effects, coffee is known to induce hyperactivity and uncomfortably high levels of energy. The L-Theanine in green tea is what makes all the difference.
L-Theanine and caffeine are known to have a synergistic effect on eachother, meaning that when they are consumed together, their respective effects are amplified to a high degree. In addition, the hyperactive and jittery side effects of caffeine are nullified by the nootropic calming effects of L-Theanine. Studies indicate that the combination gives increased dexterity, attention span, cognitive performance, mental focus and faster reaction times.
L-Theanine and caffeine are known to have a synergistic effect on eachother, meaning that when they are consumed together, their respective effects are amplified to a high degree. In addition, the hyperactive and jittery side effects of caffeine are nullified by the nootropic calming effects of L-Theanine. Studies indicate that the combination gives increased dexterity, attention span, cognitive performance, mental focus and faster reaction times.
Administration, Side Effects and safety
Most of the studies on caffeine and L-Theanine used two parts L-Theanine to one part caffeine. The recommended starting amount is 100 mg of caffeine and 200 mg of L-Theanine. For reference, a can of Red Bull contains about 80 mg of caffeine. Depending on your tolerance and sensitivity to caffeine you may need more or less of either chemical. Finding the optimal amount for your body is a matter of trial and error, just be sure that you never exceed 300 mg of caffeine per serving. L-Theanine does not protect from caffeine overdosing! It is very difficult to develop a tolerance or overdose on L-Theanine but that does not mean you should try.
There will be little side effects if the optimal ratio of these two chemicals are consumed. Any side effects (such as the jitters) will most likely be caused by the caffeine. If you are feeling jittery you can immediately remedy this by consuming a little more L-Theanine.
The easiest way to ensure the proper dosages is to either buy powdered forms of both chemicals and weigh them out on a milligram scale or to buy premade capsules of the two. The benefits of the first method is that you are able to tweak the amount of either chemical very easily. Both powdered forms of the chemicals are also water soluble so you can simply mix them into a glass of juice or water. The second method is more convenient but you lose the ability to control the ratio that you consume.
There are no legal restrictions in the United States on the possession or purchase of either chemicals.
There will be little side effects if the optimal ratio of these two chemicals are consumed. Any side effects (such as the jitters) will most likely be caused by the caffeine. If you are feeling jittery you can immediately remedy this by consuming a little more L-Theanine.
The easiest way to ensure the proper dosages is to either buy powdered forms of both chemicals and weigh them out on a milligram scale or to buy premade capsules of the two. The benefits of the first method is that you are able to tweak the amount of either chemical very easily. Both powdered forms of the chemicals are also water soluble so you can simply mix them into a glass of juice or water. The second method is more convenient but you lose the ability to control the ratio that you consume.
There are no legal restrictions in the United States on the possession or purchase of either chemicals.